The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictNot Woke

22%

The Bonfire of the Vanities1990

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

‘The Bonfire of the Vanities’ is more a relic of Reagan-era satire than a sermon on modern wokeness. It skewers all comers, caring more about lampooning excess than delivering ideological lectures. By today’s standards, it’s barely woke at all.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Not Woke

What is this?

The film largely sticks to character-driven drama, focusing on flaws and complexities rather than shoehorning in modern identity politics. Casting, for its time, aligns with the story's satire on ambition and excess, not box-checking. Any social commentary is rooted in the narrative rather than forced representation.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Mildly Woke

What is this?

There’s some lampooning of media, religion, class, and social dynamics, but these reflect cynical satire rather than present-day attempts to undermine tradition. Masculinity and family aren’t specifically attacked or modernized for ideology’s sake.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Mildly Woke

What is this?

The film offers a broad spectrum of flawed characters from various backgrounds, with no blanket moral high ground handed to any group. Cynicism is aimed everywhere, not at one side or tradition in particular, allowing diversity of viewpoint, even if everyone’s satirized.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.